Tile support apparatus

ABSTRACT

A tile support apparatus that includes: a central frame member; a left frame member; and a right frame member, wherein the left frame member and the right frame member movably attach to opposing ends of the central frame member, wherein each frame member includes a plurality of fastener receivers and spirit levels. The left frame member and the right frame member movably attach to opposing ends of the central frame member by using a hinge and are adapted to move independently move between an orthogonal orientation relative to the central frame member. The plurality of fastener receivers is adapted to enable the frame members to be fixed to a wall with a mechanical fastener. Further, the spirit levels are adapted to determine for each individual frame member whether an abutting surface is level.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to tile installation implements and,more particularly, to a tile support device having fold out arms for usein placing the first row of tile on a vertical wall.

Description of the Prior Art

The challenges associated with installing tile on a vertical wall arewell established. When installing rows of tile on a vertical surface,problems arise with both supporting tiles during the installation aswell as ensuring tiles are properly aligned. With respect to support,many tile fitters (or other installers) often will install additionalsupports onto lower tiles as the work their way up the wall. Thisapproach is cumbersome, however, because it requires a fitter to lay outtile one at a time. In terms of alignment, fitters commonly drill scrapsof wood into a wall to assist in positioning tiles. Still, thistechnique remains susceptible to misalignments which are time consumingto correct. Thus, there remains a need for a tile support apparatuswhich can be selectively positioned against a vertical wall to supportthe first row of tiles on a vertical wall. It would be helpful if such atile support apparatus provided a level surface on which tiles beinginstalled could be placed. It would be additionally desirable for such atile support apparatus to include orthogonal arms which allowed it to bedeployed on three walls simultaneously.

The Applicant's invention described herein provides for a tile supportapparatus adapted to provide a level, base support for tiles beinginstalled on a vertical wall. The primary components in Applicant's tilesupport apparatus are an elongated frame, integrated levels, andfastener receivers. When in operation, the tile support apparatusenables more effective and efficient installation of the first row, andthus subsequent rows, of tile being installed on a vertical wall. As aresult, many of the limitations imposed by prior art structures areremoved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tile support apparatus that includes: a central frame member; a leftframe member; and a right frame member, wherein the left frame memberand the right frame member movably attach to opposing ends of thecentral frame member, wherein each frame member includes a plurality offastener receivers and spirit levels. The left frame member and theright frame member movably attach to opposing ends of the central framemember by using a hinge and are adapted to move independently movebetween an orthogonal orientation relative to the central frame member.The plurality of fastener receivers is adapted to enable the framemembers to be fixed to a wall with a mechanical fastener. Further, thespirit levels are adapted to determine for each individual frame memberwhether an abutting surface is level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a tile support apparatus built inaccordance with the present invention in a three wall configuration.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a tile support apparatus built inaccordance with the present invention in a one wall configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 1 and 2, a tilesupport apparatus 10 is shown having a central frame member 11, a leftframe member 12, and a right frame member 13, with the left frame member12 and the right frame member 13 movably attached to opposing ends ofthe central frame member 11. The central frame member 11, left framemember 12, and right frame member 13 each define elongated, planarbodies which are constructed of rigid material. In the preferredembodiment, the left frame member 12 and right frame member 13 are eachattached to the central frame member 11 through a hinge 14, therebyallowing the left frame member 12 and right frame member 13 to eachindependently move between an orthogonal orientation relative to thecentral frame member 11 (illustrated in FIG. 1, with both in theorthogonal orientation), and an aligned orientation relative to thecentral frame member 11 (illustrated in FIG. 2, with both in the alignedorientation).

It is contemplated that both the left frame member 12 and right framemember 13 may be placed in the orthogonal orientation when it is desiredto position the tile support apparatus 10 against three wallssimultaneously (or when having one or both of the left frame member 12and right frame member 13 would make the tile support apparatus 10 toolong for a target wall). Similarly, positioning both the left framemember 12 and right frame member 13 in the aligned orientation would bedesirable when to positioning the tile support apparatus 10 against asingle long wall. It is additionally understood that moving either theleft frame member 12 or right frame member 13 to the orthogonalorientation, with the other in the aligned orientation, may beadvantageous in positioning the tile support apparatus against two wallssimultaneously.

Each of the frame members 11, 12, 13, include a plurality of fastenerreceivers 15 and spirit levels 16. It is contemplated that whenselectively positioning desired frame member 11, 12, 13 against a targetwall (as in a vertical surface intended to receive a tile installation),the fastener receivers 15 allow the frame members 11, 12, 13 to be fixedto the wall with a conventional mechanical fastener (such as a screw ornail). In addition, the spirit levels 16 all a user to determine foreach individual frame member 11, 12, 13 whether the surface on which thetile support apparatus 10 is level, and thus whether the tiles installedon the tile support apparatus 10 will be level.

Extending from the central frame member 11 are a pair of rigid handles17. It is contemplated that the handles 17 provide a grasping surfacethat allows a user to grab and pull in order to remove the tile supportapparatus 10 once the lower row of tiles that it is supporting aresufficiently set (and any fasteners in the fastener receivers 15 havebeen removed). It is contemplated that the handles 17 may beadvantageously grasped with a mechanical tool, such as pliers.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what isconsidered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It isrecognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within thescope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to aperson skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tile support apparatus comprising: a. a centralframe member; b. a left frame member; and c. a right frame member,wherein the left frame member and the right frame member movably attachto opposing ends of the central frame member, wherein each frame memberincludes a plurality of fastener receivers and spirit levels.
 2. Thetile support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the left framemember and the right frame member movably attach to opposing ends of thecentral frame member by using a hinge and are adapted to moveindependently move between an orthogonal orientation relative to thecentral frame member.
 3. The tile support apparatus according to claim1, where the plurality of fastener receivers is adapted to enable theframe members to be fixed to a wall with a mechanical fastener
 4. Thetile support apparatus according to claim 1, where the spirit levels areadapted to determine for each individual frame member whether anabutting surface is level.
 5. The tile support apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising a pair of rigid handles extending from thecentral frame member adapted to provide a grasping surface.